Press release

Japan defeat Egypt for first victory at World Cup

Japan could finally celebrate their first win after seeing off Egypt in four sets

Fukuoka, Japan, November 27, 2011 - Japan downed Egypt in four sets (27-29, 25-17, 25-23, 25-12) on the first day of third-round action in the 2011 FIVB Men's World Cup at Marine Messe on Sunday. The victory gave the home team a much needed lift after a frustrating first two rounds. Japan was winless at 0-5 coming into the match, while Egypt stood at 1-4. Kunihiro Shimizu and Yusuke Ishijima were the key components in the win for Japan. Shimizu was named the Most Impressive Player of the match. Ahmed Abdelhay was sublime in defeat for Egypt. After losing a tough first set, Japan dug deep and found the will to prevail with excellent teamwork.

An Ishijima spike put Japan ahead 4-2 in the opening set. Rashad Afia blocked a spike to give Egypt a 7-6 lead and they were up 8-6 at the first TTO. A block by Mohamed Badaway saw Egypt go up four points at 12-8 and Japan responded with a timeout. Ahmed Abdelhay's spike made it 14-9. Japan fought back with three straight points and Egypt called a timeout. When sent a serve soaring long, Japan was within a point at 15-14. Badawy then drilled a spike to make it 16-14 at the second TTO. Shimizu's spike made it 16-15 and Abdalia's Ahmed's swipe was blocked to even the score 16-16. Japan took the lead 17-16 when Abdelhay's spike was ruled out. Egypt equalized 19-19 on a net infraction and Ahmed followed with two service aces for 21-19. With the score even at 21-21, Abdelhay soared for another spike. Shimizu tied it again with a blast of his own. Egypt took back the lead 23-22 with a fine option play spike by Abdelhay. Yuta Abe's spike levelled the score 23-23, but then Daisuke Usami served into the net. Shimizu tied it again 24-24 with another spike, but Abdelhay answered back. The back and forth continued with Shimizu making it 25-25 with a spike. Abdelhay's spike gave Egypt set point, but they were called for a net infraction and it was 26-26. Shimizu sent a serve long and, but made up for it with another spike. Ishijima served into the net and Abdelhay ended the set 29-27 with a deft spike. Ahmed opened the second set with a service ace.

Egypt led 5-4 when Ahmed Afifi served into the net. Ahmed served into the net and Japan took an 8-7 lead into the first TTO. Yuta Yoneyama's spike put Japan up 12-10. Egypt called timeout with Japan leading 14-11. Abe's spike made it 15-12 and Shimizu followed with another as Japan went in front 16-12 at the second TTO. With Japan in the lead 18-14, Abdelhay scored on another spike and the hosts called a timeout. A block by Kota Yamamura took the count to 21-15. Usami's block gave Japan set point at 24-16 and they took the set on a service error by Egypt.

A spike by Abdellatif Ahmed saw Egypt gain a 5-2 lead in the third set that got tighter as it progressed. Yoshiko Matsumoto's block tied it 6-6 and then Japan moved ahead as he did it again. A service error by Egypt gave Japan an 8-7 margin at the first TTO. Egypt came back an took an 11-9 lead and Japan called a timeout. Abdelhay's spike made it 13-10. Japan then came back with three straight points, punctuated by a reception spike from Ishijima. A Shimizu spike gave Japan the lead, but Abdelhay responded with another spike. Yamamura's block made it 16-14 for Japan at the second TTO. Afifi's spike evened it at 16-16. A block by Abdalla Ahmed made it 18-17. When Egypt moved ahead 21-19, Japan called a timeout to try and stop the momentum. Japan tied the score 21-21 when an Egypt spike sailed long and moved ahead on a net infraction. With Japan up 23-21, Abdalla Ahmed hammered a spike. Japan moved it to set point at 24-22 on a block and took the set 25-23 on a block by Ishijima.

The hosts moved out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set and Egypt called a timeout. Japan led 7-4 when Ishijima served into the net. Abdelhay's serve was too long and Japan was on top 8-4 at the first TTO. Abdalla Ahmed's serve into the net made it 14-8 for Japan and then Ishijima crushed a spike for 15-8. Japan led 16-8 at the second TTO and was well on the way to victory. A nice no-look feed from Usami to Shimizu for a spike put Japan up 17-9 and Egypt took another timeout. A block by Abe took it to 20-11 for Japan and he followed that with a superb dink as the hosts edge closer to the finish line. Yamamoto made it 23-11 with an off-balance spike and Japan closed it out 25-12 on a service error by Egypt.